Propulsion Test Engineer

Responsibilities

• Perform thruster development, acceptance and qualification hot-fire testing
• Lead hazardous operations including work with high pressure fluids
• Write test procedures for hazardous operations
• Prepare and lead Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs)
• Work side by side with the test stand technicians during test article install and inspection
• Maintain and design modifications to test stand fluids and electrical systems to meet current and expanding test requirements
• Work collaboratively with Long Beach based responsible engineers to meet test requirements, design test stand modifications, and debug test stand problems rapidly

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering or related field
• 2+ years of experience in the operation, design, and development of chemical propulsion and/or fluid systems, or hardware testing

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Propulsion experience in collegiate rocket program
• Experience with NX and Teamcenter
• Experience with Epsilon3
• Experience with JIRA / Confluence
• Experience with controls & data acquisition systems (e.g., Beckhoff/TwinCAT, National Instruments/LabVIEW)
• Experience building and testing high pressure fluid systems
• Tube fitting & bending, familiarity with common industry fittings systems
• Read & interpret Plumbing and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams
• Ability and willingness to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted
• Ability to work in extreme weather conditions outdoors in Mojave, CA
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs unassisted and work in an outdoor, physically demanding test environment (from freezing conditions to temps up to 120 degrees fahrenheit)

Pay Range

• Propulsion Test Engineer I: $86,000 - $122,000
• Propulsion Test Engineer II: $112,000 - $155,000
• Senior Propulsion Test Engineer: $135,000 - $195,000

Pay Range

California $86,000—$195,000 USD

We calibrate level and compensation to the selected candidate's experience and demonstrated capability. We welcome applicants across a range of experience levels to apply.

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package.

Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks.

We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast's ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.

U.s. Export Control Compliance Status

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a "U.S. person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.